Nectarine tree named ‘NECTANA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTANA’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin, with a high percentage of red blush on skin surface, on an orange red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTANA’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2014/3179 filed on Nov. 27, 2014 (Nov. 27, 2014 ) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTANA’. This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone orange yellow flesh fruits for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orienteles department, France. Contrast is made to its parents, ‘NECTATOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,141) yellow nectarine tree and ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707) yellow nectarine tree, for reliable description. ‘NECTANA’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTANA’ yellow nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTANA’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘NECTATOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,141) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707) yellow nectarine tree which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘NECTANA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTANA’ yellow nectarine tree blooms at the end of February and early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms between February 26^(th) and March 20^(th). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTANA’ ripens generally during August, sometimes early in September, generally 7 to 10 days after the first fruit of ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707). More particularly, it usually ripens between July 30^(th) and September 3^(rd). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing leaves and three typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left into one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh and pit of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘NECTANA’ at ripening time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph different views of the stone of the new variety and the kernel of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTANA’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February. The type of flower is campanulate with very small petal size. Petals are pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is yellow to orange generally with a pigmentation in the stone cavity. The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous and homogenous red purple blush on a red orange background. The stone is clingstone and size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707) yellow nectarine tree, which is the male parent, ‘NECTANA’ variety ripens 7 to 10 days after, as set forth above. ‘NECTANA’ fruits are round and regular in shape, whereas ‘NECTARIANE’ fruits are round to slightly oblong in shape. ‘NECTANA’ variety produces a higher quantity of flowers than ‘NECTARIANE’ variety. Both ‘NECTANA’ and ‘NECTARIANE’ varieties show a campanulate type of flowers.

Compared to its female parent ‘NECTATOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,141) yellow nectarine tree, which has a showy-type or rosette-type of flowers, the new variety ‘NECTANA’ has a non-showy-type or campanulate-type of flowers. The petal size of ‘NECTATOP’ variety is considered medium whereas the petals of the new variety ‘NECTANA’ are considered very small. The ripeness time of ‘NECTATOP’ is considered medium in comparison with the time of ripeness of ‘NECTANA’, which is medium to late. The fruits of ‘NECTANA’ shows a more intense color than the fruits of ‘NECTATOP’ and the fruit skin of ‘NECTANA’ is smoother, with less lenticels, than the fruit skin of ‘NECTATOP’,

‘NECTATOP’ is the closest cultivar of the new variety ‘NECTANA’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) for trees, fruits, leaves and stone and in their fourth growing season (third year of production) for the flowers under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orienteles departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduced to 250 cm the next years. -   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole     orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree     lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same     tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard     contained 2500 trees by hectare. -   Vigor: Considered medium vigorous. -   Productivity: Very Productive and regular. Fruit set is spaced by     thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired market     sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing     climatic conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom     period, and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered     homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year.     Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the tree     valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of     observation. -   Form: The ‘NECTANA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to     semi-upright shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales     departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on     different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between     350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all     cases. No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as     −12 degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant to     frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 7.5 centimeters in diameter when measured at     a distance of approximately 30 centimeters above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered smooth to rough, with lenticels. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels     reaches 2 to 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from     approximately 4.0 millimeters to 6.0 millimeters in width, and from     1.0 to 1.5 millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color     (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed     Orange 167 A). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 A to     RHS Grey 201 B).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered     medium for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters,     and branches in their second year have a diameter from 9.0 to 13.0     millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, wood has no furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally about 45 degrees from the horizontal     axis. This particular characteristic is not considered distinctive     of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots: -   Internode length: Generally between 20.0 and 25.0 millimeters.     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a pale             yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A) on lower part of new             shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and colored in             brown-purple to red purple (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A). -   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf     width is 4.09. -   Leaf length: Approximately 140.0 to 167.0 millimeters with leaf     petiole. The medium length is 156.2 millimeters. -   Leaf width: Approximately 36.0 to 40.0 millimeters. The medium width     is 38.2 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Concave. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Short, pointed and acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to             RHS Yellow Green 146 B) than the upper leaf surface color. -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green 150 D).             The color may evolve with maturity. -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller     leaves (at least 50% smaller). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 10.0 to about 13.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. -   Petioles color:     -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B to RHS             Yellow Green 145 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 2.0             millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to RHS Yellow Green 144             A). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown             (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 7.0             millimeters wide and approximately 10.0 millimeters long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the             bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple             187 B and RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A at the base). The             corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of violet pink             color (RHS Red Purple 61 B or RHS Red Purple 61 C). Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of flowering. -   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter     injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the     central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as     low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not     been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the     variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up     to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30     degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins at the end of     February. The first bloom was observed on 2013, from Feb. 26^(th)     until Mar. 18^(th). -   Blooming time: Considered medium-season in relative comparison to     other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is     observed at the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom     varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.     Thus the first full bloom was observed on 2013, from February     26^(th) until March 18^(th), then from Feb. 27 until Mar. 10, 2014,     then from Mar. 11 until Mar. 20, 2015. -   Duration of bloom: Medium. Approximately between 12 and 21 days.     This characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic     conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a campanulate type     flower. -   Flower size: Considered small. Flower diameter at full bloom is     approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately between 35 and 40     flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate of fruit     set. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered very small. -   Length: Generally between 7.0 and 10.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally between 7.0 and 9.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Generally 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth, soft and glabrous. -   Petal color: Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a violet     Pink (RHS Red Purple 61 B to RHS Red Purple 61 C) when young,     becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming. -   Fragrance: Sweet. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form, with a             slightly curved tip. The color of the claw is similar to the             petal color (RHS Red Purple 61 B).         -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters. -   Petal margins: Sligthly undulating. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green N 144 A to RHS Yellow Green N             144 B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,             the inner surface of the calyx is matt and considered             golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178             D). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple             187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS Yellow Green 144 B             at the base). -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—Generally five sepals         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Small.         -   Shape.—Conic with a round tip.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the inner side of sepals             are colored in orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed             Red 178 D) and the outer side of sepals are colored with a             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple             187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS Yellow Green 144 B             at the base). -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 36 to 40 stamens     per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Small in length.         -   Color.—Orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS             Yellow Orange 16 B) or red orange color (RHS Red Group N 34             A or RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A). The color may evolve with             maturity to turn in a red orange color. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has an orange yellow     color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow Orange C)     which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered     auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Medium length, between 7.0 and 12.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally higher to the pistil's             length. -   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C to     RHS Red Purple D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red Purple 73 B). The     color becomes darker during the blooming. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 to 14.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally equal to stamen length, if not slightly             smaller.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D             or RHS Yellow Green Group 151 D). The color evolves during             the blooming.         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm in ripe conditions (shipping     ripe). -   Date of first picking: Aug. 30, 2012. -   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTANA’ variety has a medium     date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped     within 5 to 12 days and the harvest is generally performed in two     runs. Last known picking times carry on from Aug. 30 until Sep. 3,     2012, then from Aug. 17 until Aug. 28, 2013 and then from Jul. 30     until Aug. 9, 2014, then from Aug. 16 until Aug. 25, 2015. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Generally 2A size. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 71.0 to 75.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 70.0 to 72.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally about 220.0 to 240.0 grams. This     characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane. -   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the     base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along     the suture line. Not pointed. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole             fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187             A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed. -   Base: Semi-flared, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 14.0     millimeters. Average width is about 19.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and the             adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on             the fruit maturity.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous and homogenous             purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The red blush covers             80% to 90% of the fruit skin surface on an orange red             background (RHS Orange Red N34 A). The percentage of the             blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally             dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the             fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 10 to             20% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered orange red             (RHS Orange Red N 34 A). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 12.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet and very aromatic. The Brix is             generally superior to 13 and acidity comprised between 6 and             9 meq/100 ml.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally 14.0 to 15.0 degrees. This characteristic             varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;             prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic             conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Orange yellow flesh (RHS Yellow Orange 15 B),             generally with a slightly red pigmentation (RHS Orange Red N             34 A) in the stone cavity.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the fruit     maturity. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 30.0 to 33 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 18.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptic. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an ovate-form and     dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered     light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A to RHS Greyed Orange 164     B). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is very low or absent, depending on     climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium to large.         -   Length.—Approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 10.0 to 11.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange             N167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is             white (RHS White 155 D) and has a bitter taste. The kernel             and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘NECTANA’ is considered to be a nectarine     tree of the medium to late season of maturity, and which produces     fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with a very     luminous purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are     excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full     maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their     flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized     as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long     shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new yellow     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin. Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses     the described characteristics when grown under the ecological     conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orienteles departement,     France, it should be understood that variations of the usual     magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing     conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural     management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin, with a high percentage of red blush on skin surface, on an orange red background. 